made all, soon clear with 1 other, jumped right 5th, 3 lengths clear 3 out, in command between last 2, ridden and idled flat
in touch in main group, jumped right 2nd, went 3rd 9th, 6 lengths down when jumped right and fell 15th
held up in main group, hit 7th, ridden after 13th, weakened 4 out
chased leading pair until 9th, left 3rd again 15th, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd flat
held up in main group, slow 8th, reminders 11th, weakened 4 out
chased winner, bumped 5th, ridden 15th, mistake 2 out, lost 2nd flat
Nonrunner
Cool Roxy, The Stickler and Sett Aside look the three to concentrate on in this handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to Cool Roxy. The selection was a fair second behind Mister Right in a hurdle last time out. He returns to chasing under conditions that suit and he is given the tentative nomination. The Stickler rates the main danger on his best form but he often finds less than expected off the bridle. Sett Aside was a fair second behind Grouse Moore when last seen and with his stable in form he will not be far away but he remains a maiden after 17 starts and this tempers enthusiasm. Big Rob would win this easily on his best form but he continues to be let down by his jumping. Of the remainder Tighe Caster is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Cool Roxy despite top weight.
Cool Roxy 9-1 (11-9) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, rallied under pressure flat, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Mister Right (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Tighe Caster 9-2 (10-13) Held up, hit 6th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Manbow (10-1) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf.
The Stickler 10-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, not fluent 8th and 9th, soon under pressure, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Enlightenment (11-5) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Sept.
Big Rob (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) In rear, headway approaching 7th, slightly outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Comber (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Salinas (GER) 11-2 (11-10) Mid-divison on inside, outpaced 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 14, 21l behind Snow's Ride (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Party Games (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly 5th, struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Willies Way (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Sett Aside 9-2 (10-11) Led to 7th, ridden approaching 9th, chased leading pair, outpaced next, left poor 2nd 4 out, 2nd of 4, 22l behind Grouse Moor (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Apr.
